Moatlhodi negotiates defection to BCP
Isaiah Morewagae | Wednesday March 5, 2014 09:45
The Tonota North MP who was felled by Thapelo Olopeng in the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) primaries told Mmegi that so far, the negotiations have not borne fruit. “It will be my democratic right if I join them. Some people in my constituency want me to contest as an independent but I have not promised them anything for now. I am still a democrat (BDP),” he said.
In Mahalapye East, the BCP is also wooing another loser in the BDP primaries, Neo Mogowe. Mmegi is informed that BCP members Mahalapye East and Tonota North prefer the ruling party duo to represent them though they are yet to communicate their recruitment efforts to the party top brass.
Moatlhodi is the current MP for Tonota South where the BCP is fielding MELS leader, Themba Joina. Some BCP members in the constituency say Joina is no match for Olopeng and should give way to Moatlhodi.
They say Joina is not familiar with the dynamics of the constituency, compared to Moatlhodi. “This constituency can be won by someone who is familiar with its politics. There are wards that Moatlhodi is very strong in and therefore, he can win even if he is contesting under another party,” one BCP member said. He believes that Moatlhodi can defect to BCP with some of his BDP supporters.
In Mahalapye East, Mmegi is reliably informed that BCP has met Mogowe in a bid to recruit him. The politician narrowly lost BDP nominations to the incumbent, Bothogile Tshireletso. He is said to be unhappy with the way the party handled his case when he protested the nominations’ results.
Mogowe is said to be supported by other BDP parliamentary hopefuls who lost to Tshireletso in the primaries.
He has told Mmegi that he is weighing his options after the loss. He said that other people including BDP members have approached him to stand as an independent. Sources say Mogowe is not comfortable with joining the BCP because the party is not strong in the constituency.
BCP secretary general, Kesitegile Gobotswang said there is nothing wrong with recruitment but Tonota South members have not communicated anything to the party top brass.
“We will be waiting for their proposal. Their proposal can be approved or not, depending on the reasons they put forward,” he explained. He said for now, Joina is their candidate and he is not aware that their members are in talks with Moatlhodi.